West was best on Saturday evening in a meeting between D.C. United and the Seattle Sounders.
United, which entered the match tied for first place in the east with 25 points, have been one of MLS’ biggest surprises this year, using a budget-conscious mix of youngsters and MLS veterans to grind out results. Seattle, on the other hand, have used their finances to their advantage, splashing money on the likes of US international Clint Dempsey and former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins to get the job done.
Seattle took the pitch on Saturday missing both of those players — Dempsey to World Cup duty and Martins to suspension — but still emerged victorious, riding a lone Chad Barrett strike to a 1-0 victory in front of a lively crowd of 16,922.
Highlights:
The Good: Chris Rolfe
Rolfe has continued to impress, and along with Fabian Espindola (who missed the match after suffering a knee injury playing against Montreal earlier in the month) possesses a guile and craftiness that’s becoming harder and harder to find in MLS.
On Saturday, Rolfe was one of a handful of United players who stood out. He was easily D.C.’s most active offensive piece, on and off the ball.
The Bad: United’s play through midfield
After the match, United captain Bobby Boswell bemoaned United’s lack of offensive production, noting the lack of a “final ball before the final ball.” Boswell’s analysis is on point; D.C. built from the back well enough, but often fell apart 30 to 40 yards from goal, and it’s not hard to see why. No Fabian Espindola.
Espindola had been putting together a career year prior to his injury, which — when combined with a two-week suspension he earned for lashing out at Impact midfielder Felipe during the same match he was injured in — will keep him out for about two months. With seven goals and eight assists, the Argentine has been involved in 70 percent of United’s goals.
That area, 30 to 40 yards from goal, is one often patrolled by Espindola, who so often uses his flair for creativity to unlock some of MLS’ more stingy defensive units. He will be hard to replace.
Honorable Mention: Chris Korb
Korb has been on point throughout 2014 but had a shocker on Saturday while filling in for regular starter Christian Fernandez. Fernandez has been error-prone, but Saturday’s match proved why his offensive upside is so valuable. Coming forward, Korb doesn’t provide the same quality service that the Spaniard does.
Moment of the Match: Chad Barrett’s 39th minute game-winner
Not hard to see why. Worth noting that United’s defense performed admirably well, but that doesn’t always matter. Switch off for one second, and you lose a match like this, where Seattle could only muster two shots on goal.
The Rest: After the match, Olsen didn’t have much to say about Fernandez’ absence, only noting that the Spaniard missed the match for “personal reasons.” … Spotted in the locker room after the match: former United midfielder and Honduran international Andy Najar, fresh off his team’s appearance at the World Cup. Najar will travel back to Europe to rejoin Belgian side Anderlecht on July 15th.
